Having written so far about how to be a better photographer, let's look for a change at how to be a better subject! "Aha" I hear you say, "isn't it the photographer's job to bring out the best in their subject?" Yes, of course it is - no question. But, if you're an ordinary mortal and not Kate Moss or Kylie and used to living your life under the glare of the spotlight, then having your photograph taken can feel a little more intimidating; however, there are a few things you can do to make it feel less so.
So, what are the occasions when most people will have a professional portrait taken of themselves? Well, the corporate portrait and the family portrait are the most obvious.
The corporate portrait. You know the sort of thing - the company needs a new picture of you for its website, because the last one was taken when you were about twelve. It's one of those things that no one wants to have done: it's not voluntary, it's a chore, you've got a hundred and one other more important things to attend to, you have a spot, you hate your nose/eyes/hair/teeth etc - in fact the list of possible reasons not to have it done is endless. And what's the point anyway? Won't that last photo do? At least you had more hair and no double chin? In short, it's worse than going to the dentist, so let's just get it over and done with as quickly as possible.
The only problem with viewing it as a chore is that this will come over loud and clear in the photos - sitting yourself down in the chair with a blank expression and waiting for the photographer to do their stuff is not going to work.
Obviously, it's an essential part of a portrait photographer's job to communicate with their clients and make them feel relaxed, and a good photographer should always be aware of and sympathetic to their subjects' feelings - after all, having your portrait taken professionally can feel quite daunting.
However, I make no apologies for repeating Lord Lichfield's quote at this point:-
"Remember that the person you are photographing is 50% of the portrait and you are the other 50%. You need the model as much as he or she needs you. If they don't want to help you, it will be a very dull picture."
In other words, there are several things that you can do to make it feel like less of an ordeal:-
So, what are the occasions when most people will have a professional portrait taken of themselves? Well, the corporate portrait and the family portrait are the most obvious.
The corporate portrait. You know the sort of thing - the company needs a new picture of you for its website, because the last one was taken when you were about twelve. It's one of those things that no one wants to have done: it's not voluntary, it's a chore, you've got a hundred and one other more important things to attend to, you have a spot, you hate your nose/eyes/hair/teeth etc - in fact the list of possible reasons not to have it done is endless. And what's the point anyway? Won't that last photo do? At least you had more hair and no double chin? In short, it's worse than going to the dentist, so let's just get it over and done with as quickly as possible.
The only problem with viewing it as a chore is that this will come over loud and clear in the photos - sitting yourself down in the chair with a blank expression and waiting for the photographer to do their stuff is not going to work.
Obviously, it's an essential part of a portrait photographer's job to communicate with their clients and make them feel relaxed, and a good photographer should always be aware of and sympathetic to their subjects' feelings - after all, having your portrait taken professionally can feel quite daunting.
However, I make no apologies for repeating Lord Lichfield's quote at this point:-
"Remember that the person you are photographing is 50% of the portrait and you are the other 50%. You need the model as much as he or she needs you. If they don't want to help you, it will be a very dull picture."
In other words, there are several things that you can do to make it feel like less of an ordeal:-
- Concentrate on what the photographer is saying to you rather than on what you are feeling. Often, if you just chat with the photographer and respond to what they're saying, this will help take your mind off the fact that you are having your photo taken - you'll find that we're quite human really!
- Have the end result in mind. How do you want to appear in the photographs - relaxed and confident, or stiff and uncomfortable? Remember that although you may not love this type of photography (after all, these aren't quite the same as your holiday photos when you're relaxed and in congenial surroundings), an interested and engaged expression is going to look far better than a blank stare. Notice I said interested and engaged - a broad grin is not obligatory, and will look worse if it's forced - if you feel like smiling, then that's great, but a genuine smile comes from the eyes rather than the mouth.
- Don't forget that you are the face of your organisation - so, having professional portraits on your company's website and in other communications material, rather than a series of fuzzy snaps taken on a point-and-shoot camera, will convey the right impression to your clients.
- Focus your gaze on the photographer or the camera - again, this will help you to look more animated; it's all too easy to drift off and find that your eyes are glazing over when you're having your photograph taken.
- Think of something or someone nice - not about your next meeting.
- Take some deep breaths. If you are having a formal portrait taken, remember that you can always ask the photographer for a short break in which to take some deep breaths and move around a little. Everyone's facial muscles will get tired and set into a fixed expression after a little while, so taking a quick break makes sense.
- If you dislike something about your appearance, (don't we all?) then it's always worth letting the photographer know. They can then bear this in mind when taking the photographs. Obviously, they will also need to stick to the brief that's been provided so that the overall style of the portraits is consistent.
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